Calgary Flames Fall to Devils 4-2

The Calgary Flames fell 4-2 to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday in what was a back-and-forth, high tempo affair.  

Calgary struck first in the final minute of the first period via a Yegor Sharangovich breakaway backhand. The Flames found themselves breathing rare air in ending the first period with a lead – something they had only accomplished once before in 17 games since Nov. 1st. The goal was Sharangovich’s sixth goal and second shorthanded goal on the season. 

The second period belonged to the Devils. New Jersey evened the score off a right-side shot set up by Jesper Bratt and scored by former first overall pick Nico Hischier. Nine minutes later, Bratt scored one himself on a chaotic sequence that involved Flames forward pushing Bratt off balance and into goaltender Dustin Wolf. The play was challenged for goaltender interference by Flames coaching staff but was ultimately allowed due to the Coleman contact. Two posts hit by Calgary shots in the second. One by Matthew Coronato. The second period ended with the Devils holding a one goal lead – a much more familiar position for the Calgary Flames who have trailed after 40 minutes 14 times in 18 games.  

Nine minutes into the third, the Devils converged on the Calgary net following a centering pass by forward Alex Holtz. Calgary winger Dillon Dube knocked the puck into his own net and the score is 3-1. Timo Meier got a touch on the rebounding puck to take official credit for the goal.  

It appeared that the Flames were set to mount another game-tying push four minutes and 45 seconds later. Rasmus Anderson cleared the neutral zone on his own and set up Nazem Kadri for his sixth goal of the season – a wrist shot snapping past goaltender Vitek Vanecek high-blocker side.  

Hopes of a rally were put to bed with 38 seconds remaining on the clock when Nico Hischier cleared the puck out of the Devils defensive zone and into the Flames net.  

Three Stars of the Game 

Jesper Bratt: 1G 1A 

Nico Hischier: 2G

Luke Hughes: 1A